Ian Hartwright, senior policy advisor for school leaders' union NAHT, said: “It is right for the DfE to suggest a move towards finally getting to the promised £30K starting salary. But after many years of real terms pay cuts, including this year’s pay freeze, all teachers and leaders need their pay to be restored.

"The current suggestion for differentiated pay would mean that higher starting salaries for ECTs are essentially being paid for by lower uplifts for experienced teachers and leaders – making experienced professionals worse off. This would be yet another real terms pay cut for leaders while inflation is soaring and due to rise even further.

"8.0% and 7.1% over two years should be applied to all salaries, which would be a step towards restoring pay to 2010 levels. Once again DfE is failing to heed the many years of evidence from both unions and the STRB.”